Sint Maarten---- Heathrow-on-Sea

Moonbeam
David and Lynn Wilkie
Tue 15 Mar 2011 18:15
 
18.02.173N  063.06.012W
 
We sailed the 15 miles from St Barths to St Martin in the usual Caribbean conditions with the wind between 4 and 24 knots but it was very pleasant and we anchored in time for lunch.
 
St Martin is part Dutch and part French and we anchored off the beach in Simpson Bay rather than go ' through' the bridge into the lagoon where the water is dirty and polluted and the wind was creating a short chop on the water. While there are more than 50 yachts anchored here and at least the same again anchored in Marigot Bay on the French side there must be thousands of yachts within the lagoon.
 
 
    
 
   
 
The road bridge from the sea side                                                        The bridge open and motor yacht entering-- taken from within the lagoon
 
The bridge opens 6 times a day and yachts ranging from small sailing boats to super yachts such as Mirabella V and large motor yachts up to 56' beam! There are several small marinas and various anchorages where a wide range of boat types and nationalities can be seen. The whole area revolves around yachting and as well as 2 excellent chandleries where we bought more 'stuff' than expected there are plenty of businesses specialising in different aspects of the yacht servicing industry; one of which is currently hopefully repairing the hydraulic linear drive!
Although we anchored off a nice sandy beach it lies parallel to the airport runway which is a Caribbean hub and between 7am and 9pm there is a constant stream of planes from jumbo jets to inter-island 'hoppers' taking off or landing---- at times it is so busy they have 2 small planes taking off at the same time starting at different points on the runway!
 
       
 
Friday I looked over a Swan 44 that is for sale for a friend in Glasgow and while it was in better condition than anticipated it still needs investment but then it is the same age as Moonbeam......
 
On Saturday we went up to the French side in the dinghy where we were amused to note a couple of yachts in a boatyard that had obviously been there so long they had 'creepers' growing up the rigging!  Another boatyard was rather like a hippy colony and it reminded me of AYC 30 years ago!
 
    
 
French side                                                                                         Marigot Bay
 
While the island is a big holiday centre we haven't found it an attractive place; it is interesting and convenient for re stocking and repairs and we look forward to moving up to the Virgin Islands although it has been sociable here with Tony and Jill from 'Nychea' and John and Liz from 'Jolan- Jolan' who come from Stirling!
 
    
 
Boats entering the lagoon at the evening bridge opening.
 
 
Mirabella V dwarfs the other yachts.